Body Image and Depression in Women With Early and Late Onset Obesity

Three groups of women (N = 27 in each group) were compared: women of normal weight and asymptomatic for eating disorders (M = 125.5 lb); women with early onset obesity—before 13 years (M = 182.4 lb); and women with adult onset obesity—17 years or over (M = 172.4 lb). Subjects (M age = 40.7 years) were obtained through church and business groups. Body image and depression were assessed, respectively, by three scales of the Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (Winstead & Cash, 1983) and by the Beck Depression Inventory (Beck, 1967). The combined group of obese subjects rated their bodies as less fit than normal weight subjects (p<.01). However, there were no other significant differences between obese and normal weight subjects. Also, no significant differences were found between the early and late onset groups. Results showed that (a) there is a subpopulation of obese women who are relatively satisfied with their bodies and whose psychological adjustment is no different from that of other women, and that (b) an early onset of obesity does not necessarily have more serious psychological consequences than late onset.